Chapter 5
Mosieur Phean watched James and Henry work with the foals and within two hours both had the foals obeying everything they told them to do. He hired them right then.
Sophia sat in the back of the wagon with Fawn, Marcus, Lilly, Daisy, Fern, Bella, and Rina. William and Kennith sat in the front with the horses. They had been traveling for about two weeks. "We will reach Gircord by lunchtime."Kennith said. "That sounds wonderful!"Sophia joked. Everyone laughed. Yes, Sophia missed her brothers and sister, but in a way she had found a new family too. She hoped to find her siblings eventually. Since Sophia and Marcus met, they felt a connection. They had fallen in love over many months of traveling in the woods. Marcus said once she turned eighteen they could get married. Sophia was happy. She played with the ring he had given her the day before. Marcus said it was his mother's. Marcus didn't tell anyone Sophia's true identity. And she wanted to keep it that way.
Many more hours past and the sun now was rising in the sky. Sophia closed her eyes and listened to everything around her. She dozed off. Someone shook her awake. "Sophia! We are here."Lilly said waking her friend. Sophia woke up and got out. She looked around. "Welcome to Gircord."Kennith said. "Marcus!"Someone shouted in the distance in the market place. Marcus turned. He saw a group of people running towards him. He was embraced by a pretty woman. "Marcus what happened! We heard about the attacks. We were so worried."A woman said. "Auntie Kallie, I am fine. There will be time to tell more later. I want you to come meet some people."Marcus said leading his Aunt over to the group. "Everyone I would like you to meet my Aunt Kallie. She is my father's older sister. Aunt Kallie, this is Kennith and Fern, their son William and his wife Lilly, their four daughters,Daisy, Fern, Bella, and Rina, and this is Sophia."Marcus introduced. Marcus squeezed Sophia's hand in reassurance. "You all are invited to lunch. Thank you for bringing me my nephew here."Aunt Kallie said. The group followed her with the wagon. Finally they reached the large house. A hoard of family members came rushing out when Kallie yelled that Marcus was here. After about an hour of just standing around, the woman pushed everyone to the back of the house where a big field was. There on tables was lunch. Everyone sat down on the grass and began to eat. Sophia stayed close to Marcus. They sat down under a tree nearby everyone else.
"Your family seems nice."Sophia commented. Marcus groaned. "That is until you have to live with them. Thankfully, the family lives scattered around Grincord. It just happens to be a Saturday, when everyone gathers at Kallie's."Marcus said. Sophia giggled. "Marcus we still haven't announced it yet."Sophia said. "I know Soph. I will soon enough."Marcus said. "I trust you."Sophia replied. Marcus kissed her on the forehead.
Months passed and soon it had been a year. Sophie was now married to Marcus. They lived in a nice little house near the market in Gircord. James was now nineteen, and Henry was now seventeen. Ana was five. James and Henry lived at the castle with Monsieur Phean during the week. On the weekends they returned to Kian and Ana. Ana was a bright child and James and Henry began to teach her everything they had learned. Soon she could read and write. Ten more years passed by.
To be continued...